PML-N must come out of its thrall
Despite the TTP’s unending tirade against the PML-N government, there is no let up to the party’s infatuation with the militant network. The PML-N and PTI in fact create an impression of two suitors out to outbid each other in its pursuit. Ch Nisar has called on the outgoing COAS reportedly to discuss the resumption of dialogue with the militants. The same day Pervez Rashid told the media that the government is at the conclusive stage to resume the parleys. The PML-N leadership is all set for talks without taing any other parliamentary party into confidence. Only the ruling party knows which groups it wants to talk to, what is going to be the framework for talks, what incentives are to be offered to the other side and in return for what. According to Khurshid Shah, the opposition leader, the government had spurned his suggestion to hold another APC and if that was not possible to at least take on board the heads of political and religious parties. The PML-N leadership’s covert diplomacy makes little sense when the entire opposition had fully supported the government at the APC despite entertaining strong reservations about the utility of the talks.
Last week TTP spokesman again rejected those parties who believed in nationalism and democracy. He had earlier rejected the constitution for the TTP’s primitive version of Sharia. There is no change in the militant network’s policy of duplicity either. After making a commitment not to attack civilians it launched the twin attack in Karachi that killed seven people and wounded 28. While it claims it does not attack places of worship, it condoned the attack on the All Saints Church in Peshawar saying, “We believe it’s according to Sharia.” How can anyone believe in TTP’s commitments?
The speakers at Pakistan Defence Council’s anti-drone rally on Sunday in Lahore shared the aims of the TTP. What they wanted the TTP to do was to stop bomb attacks inside Pakistan and join hands with them to target the US and India. Hafiz Saeed railed against Prime Minister Sharif for visiting Afghanistan and seeking friendly relations with New Delhi. While Pakistan badly needs to improve its relations with its neigbours what the DPC proposes is a recipe for disaster. Like similar kindred spirits in North Waziristan, the DPC leaders want Pakistan to consume whatever energy is left in it in fighting the entire non-Muslim world. The government would do well to shed its fondness for extremist and militant outfits which are out to destroy the country.